For the longest time, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord dominated the mid-size sedan game. Then Hyundai crashed the party with the Sonata!

The sixth-generation 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata has been particularly competitive but it still needs dedicated winter tires for the safest winter handling. When it comes to balancing snow and dry road handling, each one of us has to decide which performance traits we want to emphasize. Most Sonata drivers are likely served by the superior ice and packed snow traction that a Studless Ice & Snow tire offers.

Winter / Snow Tire Size

Always check your tire sidewalls to verify your current size. The GLS and Hybrid versions normally come equipped with 205/65R16 (215/55R17 is an optional Hybrid size) tires, while the Sonata Limited runs either 215/55R17 (2.4L engine) or 225/45R18 (2.0T). The Sonata SE runs on 225/45R18 in both engine models.

Year

Model

Tire Sizes

Rim Sizes

Tread Width O.E. Hankook

Overall Diameter

2011-2014

Sonata GLS (2.4L)

P205/65-16 94H

16x6.5

6.1"

26.5"

2011-2014

Sonata Hybrid With 16's as O.E.

P205/65-16 94H

16x6.5

6.1"

26.5"

2011-2014

Sonata Hybrid With 17's as O.E.

P215/55-17 93V

17x6.5

7.1"

26.2"

2011-2014

Sonata Limited 2.0T

225/45-18/XL 95V

18x7.5

7.3"

25.9"

2011-2014

Sonata Limited 2.4L

P215/55-17 93V

17x6.5

7.1"

26.2"

2011-2014

Sonata SE 2.0T

225/45-18/XL 95V

18x7.5

7.3"

25.9"

2011-2014

Sonata SE 2.4L

225/45-18/XL 95V

18x7.5

7.3"

25.9"

Step 1: Consider your most common winter driving situations. How often do you see deep snow? Packed snow? Glare ice? Cold dry roads?

Step 2: Pick a tire size of appropriate width for the conditions you experience on your drive. For example, if you have a 30-minute commute through farm roads alternatively covered with deep snow or ice, 205/65R16 is narrow enough to cut through deeper snow but wide enough to handle icy roads. If you have a long commute on major highways, 215/55R17 provides better dry road handling without being horribly problematic in deeper snow.

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 is great for handling snowy and icy roads. It also does well for dry road handling. The tire is a great option for Sonata drivers, and when paired with a steel wheel creates a great tire and wheel combo to handle winter's toughest conditions. If you're looking for a 17" tire and wheel, look at the 215/55R17 Blizzak WS80 with the Sport Edition A8 wheel.